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I’m always on the hunt for a great hike that offers fantastic views of Hong Kong. I had heard about Suicide Cliff and after seeing some photos on social media, I knew I had to check it out for myself. Suicide Cliff Hike is an easy hike to get to, offers insane views of the city, and really isn’t that difficult.
There are a few different ways to start the Suicide Cliff Hike. We chose to take the longer route because I didn’t want to hurt myself trying to climb up an incredibly steep hill (when we made it to the actual cliff, we saw people who had just climbed up it. They said it was crazy and that there was no way they would recommend it). We also wanted to go on a longer hike, so it just made sense to make a day out of it.
Starting Point of the Suicide Cliff Hike Kong Kong
Head to City One MTR Station and go out Exit D. Turn left and head down Chap Wai Kon Street – cross the street at the first crosswalk so you’re on the other side. Alternately: if you’re a bit pressed for time and/or want to avoid a relatively boring 30 minute walk to the start of the hike, take a taxi to the Wong Tai Nau Bus Terminus
City One MTR to Wong Tai Nau Bus Terminus
Continue walking down Chap Wai Kon Street until you reach Siu Lek Yuen Road. Turn right and keep going. After about 5 minutes, you’ll walk under an underpass. Turn left when you exit the underpass and continue walking up along Siu Lek Yuen Road. Eventually, you’ll see the Wong Tai Nau Bus Terminus on your left. Cross the street shortly after the terminus – you’ll see a set of stairs leading up. This is where the hike starts.
Wong Tai Nau Bus Terminus to Kowloon Peak Viewing Point
After you take the stairs up, head along the path to your left. You’ll pass a building on your left and will eventually reach the end of the path. Go right and walk down the road.
After a few minutes, you will veer left and head into a more forested area with a walking path. Shortly after, you’ll again come to a crossroads with a map at the end of the stairs. At this point, turn right and continue along the path – you’ll now be walking along a rough stone path in the forest.
After about 30 minutes, you’ll begin to see the path marked as “Maclehose Trail” – follow that and shortly after you’ll come up out of the forested area and onto a clear path on top of the mountain. You’ll walk along this path for a little while, but will dip back into the mountain and under some shade. You’ll also pass by a few ‘clearings’ that look similar to the second photo above. Just go through them and keep following the path.
Afterwards, you’ll find yourself walking along an actual road. This road will take you directly to the Kowloon Peak Viewing Point. At the lookout area, you’ll see a gazebo. There are stairs leading up just behind the gazebo – it’s a short climb up to another view point (see second photo above). When you’re ready to move on, head along the path behind the gazebo that goes down.
Kowloon Peak to Suicide Cliff
From here, simply follow the path until you can’t go any further. You’ll be hiking up and down a few mountains and will eventually come to a rock on your right with a great vantage point of the city – perfect for a quick photo before continuing on.
The peaks will become much smaller and you’ll be able to see a television and radio transmission station in the distance. Once you reach the station, you’ll walk past a helipad and around the station. Continue along the path until you’ll have to climb down a cluster of big rocks.
At this point, you’ll come to a large rock on the cliff that overlooks the Hong Kong harbour. At first, we were wondering if this was Suicide Cliff as we couldn’t see anything else around that rock. Thankfully, some other people were there and told us that Suicide Cliff is literally just below. A word of caution: be careful when climbing down and making your way to the actual cliff – it’s all too easy to slip and seriously hurt yourself.
Suicide Cliff
Congratulations – you made it! We were lucky that no one else was there, so we were able to spend time taking photos and enjoying the stunning scenery around us. I’ve done a lot of hikes in Hong Kong, but these views from the Suicide Cliff hike were definitely some of the best I’ve seen.
Ending Point of Suicide Cliff Hike Hong Kong
After you’re done at Suicide Cliff, head back up the way you came – past the transmission tower and into the grassy path for a few minutes before you reach a fork. Turning left will take you back the way you came, so be sure to continue heading down (veering a bit to the right) the path. This will eventually take you to Fei Ngo Shan Road. Keep walking down the road until you get to the main road. Cross the main road and you can either hop in a taxi or take a minibus to Choi Hung MTR Station (the minibus stop will just be to your left).
Journey Length: about 10km Total Time: 4.5 – 5.5 hours
*I followed this great route here on Google Maps
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Montreal is my favourite city in Canada (only in the summer though, ’cause the winters there are way too cold for me). I’ve only been to Montreal a few times, but it’s honestly such a magical city. From the architecture to the food to the history, you really can’t go wrong with a short or long visit. This was the final stop on my 10-day Canadian East Coast road trip this past summer and the three nights/four days we were incredible. Here is my (very condensed) three-day photo journal of sightseeing Montreal.
The beautiful buildings
You honestly can’t walk more than a block without stumbling on beautiful, historic buildings with a whole lot of character. While Toronto has a few areas with plenty of ‘old’ buildings, Montreal seems to be filled with a unique charm thanks to these structures. Although I couldn’t tell you what went on inside, they sure caught my eye.
Old Port Montreal
Walk down to the Old Port of Montreal where you can stroll along the water. In the summer, there’s plenty going on (this is where we stumbled upon a mac n cheese festival!). Browse the souvenir stalls, grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks, hop on the observation wheel for a ride around, or zipline across the harbour. Keep heading down along the harbour, where you’ll eventually come upon the Historical Clock Tower. If you’re not in the mood to spend the day walking, rent a bicycle from one of the many rental stations found throughout the city.
Pedestrian-only streets
Montreal is home to an impressive (and much appreciated) number of pedestrian-only streets that are filled with bars, souvenir shops, cafes, etc. Although they do feel a tad too touristy at times, the historic buildings and cobblestone walkways seem to keep your mind off that. Grab a pint and a bite to eat at one of the pubs before buying a few cheesy souvenirs.
Odds and ends
While I was in Montreal I saw some beautiful murals painted on the walls of buildings. The one above was found just down the street from Schwartz’s Deli. As I’ve mentioned before, there are a bunch of festivals that happen throughout the year in Montreal (especially in the summer) and we just so happened to be there during the Just For Laughs festival, which was definitely a good laugh. Though I’m not exactly sure I agree with it, you can take a tour around Old Montreal in a horse-drawn carriage if you’re feeling fancy.
Have I convinced you to visit Montreal yet?
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As to be expected from just about any big city, Montreal is a haven for foodies. Now, I’m not talking about the Michelin starred restaurants you have to book months in advance. I’m here to rave about the food in Montreal; the lowkey local establishments and dishes that won my stomach (and heart) over while I was there.
Disclaimer: since I was only in Montreal for three days this time around, this list by no means encompasses all the delicious food to be found in the city. That being said, this is all the noteworthy food in Montreal that I ate and raved about.
1. Poutine
Okay, so this is a pretty obvious one. If someone asks me what the quintessential “Canadian food” would be, my first thought is poutine. Although you can find poutine in many parts of the world, Montreal (obviously) does this dish justice. Aside from the traditional hand-cut fries, cheese curds, and gravy, you can find a whole range of toppings for poutines nowadays. My favourite place was La Banquise. Typically known for their late night, after the bar crowd, La Banquise has a wild selection of poutine that you have to try. We opted for both their classic poutine and the La Sud-Ouest with bacon, red onions, guacamole, onion rings, and chipotle sauce on top of a regular poutine. Needless to say, we waddled our way out of the restaurant after.
2. Smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz’s Deli
Schwartz’s Deli is an absolute must every time I visit Montreal and is one of the few places where I don’t mind having to queue. I kid you not when I say that you will have the best smoked meat sandwich you’ve ever had in your life here. Aside from the sandwich, you have to order the fries and pickle on the side. This place is so damn good, I actually wrote an entire post on it – click here to read more about why you must try Schwartz’s Deli.
3. Find a food festival
If you’re visiting Montreal in the summer, you’re in luck – there are festivals galore, all of which will likely involve food (it’s a win-win, really). We happened to stumble upon a mac n cheese festival with a bunch of food trucks all serving up different variations of the classic. We also went to the Just For Laughs festival where they had a fantastic food section serving up some great dishes from local establishments. One of my favourites was Birona Hummus Bar’s vegetable stew with tender chicken on a bed of couscous.
4. Craft beer
Although best appreciated in the summer, Montreal is home to a variety of pubs that serve up a range of local and international beer. If you are in the city during the warmer months, you’ll be spoiled for choice of restaurants with outdoor seating. A stroll down some of the more popular, pedestrian-friendly streets will lead you to a variety of restaurants and bars with patios. Regardless of which one you decide to enjoy a pint at, rest assured that you’ll find some local brews on the menu.
5. Honey donut balls at Mr. Puffs Pastry
These delicious honey-drenched dough balls were a glorious discovery in Montreal. I had seen Mr. Puffs Pastry around Montreal before, but didn’t decide to try them until I saw their food truck at the Just For Laughs Festival. I tried the honey dipped and creamy caramel dough balls, both of which were absolutely divine. Honestly, these were so damn good and just writing this is making me crave them.
6. When in doubt, pop into the first cute cafe you see
Montreal is home to a variety of cute cafes, so you can never really go wrong just choosing a random one on the street to enjoy a coffee and some baked goods.
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I originally thought about writing a general post about my favourite restaurants and food in Montreal, but I quickly realised my love for Schwartz’s Deli deserved a post of its own. If you Google where to eat in Montreal, it’s pretty much a guarantee that Schwartz’s Deli is going to come up. And for good reason. Whether or not you like smoked meat sandwiches or have never tried them before, I can pretty much promise you that you’re going to fall in love with just about everything on the menu at Schwartz’s Deli Montreal.
What makes Schwartz’s Deli Montreal special?
Schwartz’s Deli Montreal has been around since 1928 and is still located on the same street, Saint Laurent Boulevard. Aside from the most insanely delicious smoked meat sandwich, it’s the whole experience that I really love (shockingly, I almost don’t even mind the queue). Every time I’ve been, the queue takes around 30 minutes to get through. Once in, you’ll likely be seated at a table with other hungry locals and tourists. The atmosphere inside is busy, slightly chaotic, but filled with an authenticity that keeps people coming back.
Smoked Meat Sandwiches, Fries, & Pickles!
The whole reason you come to Schwartz’s Deli Montreal is for their classic smoked meat sandwich (CAD$9.95). The sandwich is filled with the most delicious smoked meat: tender, slightly salty, and even better with a slight smear of mustard on top. Along with your sandwich, you have to order a plate of french fries (CAD$3.55) and a massive dill pickle (CAD$2.35) on the side. The fries are some of the best I’ve ever had and the pickle is one of the restaurant’s signature sides.
Despite being busy, the waitstaff are friendly and you can expect quick service. Although this isn’t exactly a place to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal given the line of people waiting for a table, I’ve never felt rushed/pushed out of Schwartz’s Deli before. This place is a must when you’re visiting Montreal.
Schwartz’s Deli 3895 Boul. Saint-Laurent Montreal
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This was my third time visiting Montreal (despite living next door) and subsequently my third time climbing up Mount Royal, or Parc du Mont-Royal as the French would say. Not only is it completely free, but it’s a great way to get out of the city centre without having to hop in a car. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Montreal below. Whether you’re there in the winter or summer, climbing up Mount Royal should be high up on your to-do list.
How to get up to Mount Royal (Parc du Mont-Royal)
The starting pointThrough the trailTo get to the starting point of the trail, head up to the intersection of Pine Avenue West and Peel Street, minutes from the downtown core.
There are two ways you can head up to the top: one is a direct route that will take you straight up and the other is a much longer route that winds around the mountain. If you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a run, and have a few hours to kill (and if it’s not 20 below 0 outside!), then take your time while heading up. There are a tonne of trails that surround the mountain, and, while I haven’t actually gone this way, seem very straightforward to follow.
If you’re pressed for time, take the direct trail that goes straight up to the top of the mountain. Give or take, this route should take about 30 minutes to reach the top.
Why it’s worth the climb up
Close-up of all the buildingsAs the sun is beginning to setPlenty of spaceSnacks, drinks, and washrooms insideOnce at the top, you’ll see a large viewing area that will likely be crowded with dozens of other tourists. To avoid the crowd, try to come at an off-peak time (early morning, during the week, later at night, etc.). We made it to the top just as the sun was beginning to set and although it was busy, we managed to get a bit of space to ourselves to enjoy the views and take some photos.
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A couple of years ago, we would have said the craft beer scene in Hong Kong is starting to explode. Well, we can now safely say it has exploded and is here to stay. There’s even a Craft Beer Association of Hong Kong. It’s not just bars serving craft beer, there are breweries popping up all over the city, from Kwai Chung to Kennedy Town. Many do brewery tours where you can sample a bit of everything that they brew, so make it your mission to check them out over several weekends…or perhaps do a crazy pub crawl and hit a bunch up in one night. Read on for the ultimate guide to craft beer in Hong Kong.
Second Draft
On the ground floor of the cool hotel and neighbourhood hangout Little Tai Hang you’ll find Second Draft. The much buzzed about gastropub pours beers from celebrated local brewers Young Master and Carbon Brews, which you can sip alongside award-winning chef May Chow’s Hong Kong-inspired menu. Keep an eye out for their rotating guest tap brews, featuring some of the best international craft beer from New Zealand, Denmark and more.
Where: G/F, Little Tai Hang, 98 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang Contact: 2656 0232
Little Creatures
Little Creatures brews craft beer daily in an impressive venue — when you walk in you can’t miss the 5 hectolitre brewery producing various beers served up in front at the bar, or in the large dining area. Their beer, like the signature Pale Ale, have unique key flavours such as citrus, nectarine and burnt toffee. Grab a bottle, along with a Bright Ale, Original Pilsner, IPA or Rogers Beer, as they´re sold to take home too.
Where: Shop 1, G/F New Fortune House, 5A New Praya, Kennedy Town Contact: 2833 5611 or info@littlecreatures.hk
Craft Brew & Co.
When the motto is “No Carlsberg. No Stella. No San Miguel.” then you know the bar is serious about craft beer. Craft Brew & Co., with three locations in Hong Kong, know their stuff and pour superb craft beer. If that weren’t enough, they also grill some damn fine gourmet sausages that are lean and made with all-natural casings. It’s the perfect accompaniment to their light and golden Summer Ale, or go for a Bohemian Pale Ale, Liberty IPA or Kung Fu Lager. Don’t know where to start? Book a tasting session (minimum 6 people) and learn the style, flavour and aroma of each beer.
Where: G/F, 17 Old Bailey Street, Central; 36 High Street, Sai Ying Pun; G/F, 27-31 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town Contact: 2885 0821 (Central); 2559 0498 (Sai Ying Pun); 2246 8782 (Kennedy Town) or info@craftbrew.com.hk
COEDO Taproom
COEDO, an award-winning brewery from Saitama, Japan, serves craft beer at their Causeway Bay Taproom, the brewery’s first overseas venue. Featuring 12 taps, including all of their year-round beers, plus seasonal, limited and exclusive ones, you’ll happily spend a night here sampling the suds and nibbling on authentic Saitama-style yakitori and other savoury snacks.
Where: Shop C, G/F, 50-56 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay Contact: 2619 9011 or info@thirstybrothers.com.hk
Pazzeria Italian Brewery
Who knew a place in Mong Kok would be a prime spot for sampling craft beer, Italian-style? Pazzeria Italian Brewery has authentic Italian craft beers, bottled and on tap — 16 taps in fact. There’s also a Central location, and both spots pour mainly Italian craft beers, but there’s other European beers to try, and some mean Italian food too. Suggestion, if we may? Keep the focus on the beer and tuck into a cheese board with a variety of cold cuts and cheese, paired with a Birrificio Gaia IPA or a robust Tre Fontane Tripel.
Where: G/F 19 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon; 5 Elgin Street, Central Contact: 2506 0016 (Mong Kok); 2540 7988 (Central)
K Pub
Here’s a nice little bar only a hop and a skip away from Kennedy Town MTR station. Great for a chill night catching up with a mate…and getting acquainted with the more than 30 types of craft beer from around the world K Pub pours daily. Decent pizza and burger specials too mean this may become a weekly outing.
Where: Shop 15, G/F, Sincere Western House, 69 Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town Contact: 9683 2015 or info@kpub.com.hk
TAP – The Ale Project
When a day of haggling at Ladies Market has finally done your head in, seek some respite at nearby TAP – The Ale Project to cool off. Billed as a gastropub, and known for having one of the biggest selections of Hong Kong craft beer on tap, they pair carefully curated beers with a food menu featuring artisanal bread as the centerpiece.
Where: 15 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok Contact: 2468 2010 or info@thealeproject.com
The Globe
An old favourite with British expats in Hong Kong, everyone should get to know The Globe, not just for some of the best fish and chips this side of England, but an excellent beer selection. They feature rotating guest taps, a great excuse to come often to taste the changing brews, as is the generous happy hour, running from 9.00am to 8.00pm. Those wanting to know their malts from their ambers can sign up for a tutored beer tasting, tailored for a couple of friends or a large group.
Where: Garely Building, 45-53 Graham Street, Central Contact: 2543 1941 or info@theglobe.com.hk
65Peel
One of the trendier ones on the list, with a loyal Instagram following and hip Hong Kongers filling the joint inside and spilling out onto the street, the two-year-old 65Peel serves some of the best local beer from breweries like Young Master Ales to Nine Dragons. When your fingers are free from posting pics and sipping pints, dabble in some of the Asian-inspired cuisine on hand as well.
Where: G/F, 65 Peel Street, Central Contact: 2342 2224 or 65peel@gmail.com
Cheers The Tap Room
An unassuming wee spot in Mong Kok with local and international craft beers on tap, where the staff is just as friendly as the clientele. And as it’s mainly a young crowd, there’s a good chance no one will be yelling out “Norm!” when you walk in (older readers will understand). Good for a beer flight to try a bit of everything, and a “craft pizza” to soak it all up.
Where: G/F, 13 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok Contact: 2341 5999
The Beer Bay – Central Pier 3 & 4
You probably won’t head here for a night out, as it’s pretty much a small kiosk in the middle of Central piers 3 and 4, but you’ll be thankful for it when you’re waiting to board the ferry on a hot summer day. Despite its size, it has an impressive range of British and American craft beers, and lots of UK crisps to curb those salty cravings that often come with beer drinking.
Where: Pier 3 and Pier 4, Central Ferry Pier Contact: 3481 7290
Young Master Brewery
While not set up for dining and drinking, this multi award-winning brewery does allow for sampling their craft beers on Saturday tours, and it’s definitely worth booking as these guys are known for starting the craft brewing movement in Hong Kong. Their Hong Kong-inspired beer is unique and enticing, like the Cha Chaan Teng Gose made with local salted lime.
Where: G/F, Sungib Industrial Centre, 53 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang Contact: 2783 8907 or info@youngmasterales.com
Black Kite Brewery
Black Kite Brewery calls Wong Chuk Hang home and lets you taste their product via monthly scheduled tours. Founders Dan and Dave Gallie use fresh ingredients from around the globe to make their beer in a range of signature styles, such as the Southside Ale, a fragrant light ale brewed with jasmine tea. For more daring palates, there’s the Oh, Bacon! Rauchbier smoked ale.
Where: 11B Derrick Industrial Building, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang Contact: beer@blackkite.hk
Lion Rock Brewery
One of the originals, Lion Rock Brewery’s craft beer is made without artificial flavours, colourings or preservatives, brewed with the four premium ingredients all top brewers swear by — water, malts, hops and yeast. The flagship Lion Rock Signature Pale Ale is a lovely introduction, with a silky foam and fruity notes of peach and gooseberries. Grab a glass at The Globe, 65 Peel and many other bars across the city.
Where: Unit 2, 14/F, Man Shing Industrial Building, 307-311 Castle Peak Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories Contact: 6308 0105 or info@lionrockbeers.com
Carbon Brews
New on the scene, Carbon Brews’ product can be downed at venues like Second Draft, K Pub and Craftissimo, where you’ll find their debut craft beer, 366BU, a double dry hopped pale ale with fruity aromas of melon, papaya, orange, lime and lemon. Also on tap is the Strawberry 100g/l, a refreshing dry-hopped American pale ale infused with, yup, 100g/L of strawberries.
Where: Unit A1, G/F, Union Industrial Center, 27-31 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan Contact: 2620 0095
Hong Kong Beer Co.
Hong Kong Beer Co. was launched in 1995 as Asia’s first craft brewery to sell beer exclusively in bottles and kegs. Fast forward a couple of decades, and their attractively-designed bottles can be found in major supermarkets and specialty booze shops across the city, and ready to pour on tap in hotel bars and pubs. With varieties like Dragon’s Back pale ale and Big Wave Bay IPA, you can’t get more Hong Kong than this beer.
Where: Unit 5A, Ground Floor, Wah Shing Centre, 5 Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan Contact: 2580 2360 or info@hkbeerco.com
Gweilo Beer
HK expats have certainly heard the term “Gweilo” by now, but here it’s presented in a fun, fresh way — through refreshing beer. Known as “foreign devil”, the term has evolved to gentler definitions over time (plain old “foreigner”), and each bottle of Gweilo beer will too evolve, with the phrase on the label changing meaning over time. The Fo Tan-based brewery makes session-style ales ranging between 4% and 6%, like their IPA, brewed with European malt and a secret blend of South Pacific and American hops. Buy it and others online or in stores across the city.
Where: Fo Tan Contact: info@gweilobeer.com
Mak´s Beer
This is beer made for locals by locals — three guys named Ball, Mark and Ken to be exact. They had a dream to bring Hong Kong Cantonese beer to the world, and they’re doing it, brewing exclusive craft beer using ingredients like dried longan and goji berries (Longan Pale Ale) and dried mint leaves and honey (Mint Beer). Sample some at pop-ups and markets in town, or at venues like HK Island Taphouse and Yum Cha.
Where: 12C, Jing Ho Industrial Building, 78-84 Wang Lung Street, Tsuen Wan Contact: 6174 7740 or hey.bro@maksbeer.com
Heroes Beer Co
When picking up booze along with your groceries at city’super, you’ll no doubt spot the multi-coloured cans with vibrant illustrations containing Heroes Beer, with eye-catching names like Hangry Donut, an American wheat beer, or Munchy and Poshy fruit beer. Take home some of their other cool cans from speciality beer shops in town, or throw back a glass at The Globe, The Roundhouse, Shake Shack and other locales.
Where: Room 1411, Remex Centre, 42 Wong Chuk Hang Road Contact: 3996 9740 or info@heroesbeerco.com
Yardley Brothers Beer
You’ll soon recognise the Yardley Brothers label if you’re a bit of a barfly, as it’s poured throughout Hong Kong. The brewery in Kwai Hing where they make their staple brews (like Hong Kong Bastard Imperial IPA or Quit Your Job!, and other amusing names) has a production capacity of more than 5,000 liters, allowing the award-winning brewers to tackle numerous experimental single batch brews. Have a taste Friday evenings on a brewery tour from 5.30pm to 7.30 pm (no booking needed).
Where: Unit 10, 5th floor, Block A, Wah Tat Industrial Centre, 8 Wah Sing Street, Kwai Hing Contact: 9543 4963 or beer@yardleybrothers.hk
Moonzen Brewery
Moonzen, “door gods” in Chinese, celebrates Chinese folklore and Hong Kong culture in their craft beer, drawing inspiration from Chinese mythology and using distinct flavours. Their hand-crafted beers can be found in stores and places like Strokes or Cheers The Tap Room, served in beautifully-illustrated bottles or signature golden gourd glasses. Better yet, head to their brewery to see how it’s all done, then hang out in the spacious tap room for a glass of their flagship Thunder God ale or a rich Moon Goddess chocolate stout.
Where: 2A New East Sun Building, 18 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong Contact: 3709 2829 or beer@moonzen.hk
HK Island Taphouse
Beer lovers, a visit to North Point is in order to check out the largest number of taps (40!) in Hong Kong at HK Island Taphouse, where they dole out craft beer favourites from Gweilo, Lucky Dawgs and Heroes Beer, among many others. It’s also where you can try nitro beer, made by adding nitrogen, giving way to much smaller bubbles to create a smoother, creamier beer-drinking experience.
Where: 1A-1B Tsing Fung Street, North Poin Contact: 3705 9901 or info@hkitaphouse.com
99 Bottles
This small craft beer bar and shop in Soho is good for popping in for a quick pint and some bottles to take home, or when en route to other drinking spots in the area. There’s a great selection of craft beer from local breweries like Yardley Brothers, along with international brands. It’s often standing-room only, or you can park your butt on the pavement outside, as it’s all very relaxed around there.
Where: 59A Peel Street, Central Contact: 9772 3053 or 9772 3053
HK Brewcraft
Locals who like to make their own beer as much as they like drinking it should get acquainted with HK Brewcraft. The homebrew store and bottle shop has all the homebrewing ingredients and equipment you need, and they also offer homebrewing workshops for novice brewers. Or let others do all the work and just stick with drinking by hitting up one of their monthly tasting workshops. Bring home the ones that struck your fancy, with 350+ craft beers to discover online and in-store.
Where: 4/F, 15 Cochrane Street, Central Contact: 5925 2739 or info@hkbrewcraft.com
The Bottle Shop
The Bottle Shop in Sai Kung specialises in international boutique beers, with claims to being the first retail store in Hong Kong with the largest variety of craft beers. You’ll take pleasure just strolling around the shop taking in all the foreign and local brands of craft beer, plus select spirits and wines. No worries if you’re not in Sai Kung, as they deliver to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories.
Where: G/F, 114 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung Contact: 2791 1600 or shop@thebottleshop.hk
Craftissimo
The highly-rated beer shop known for its excellent selection of local and international craft beer sells more than 280 kinds of beer from the best breweries in the world. Knowledgeable staff help guide you through the constantly changing selection, which often includes obscure and limited edition options from the world of craft beer. Join their beer club and they’ll send 12 bottles a month, for 3 months, from a curated selection right to your home.
Where: Shop D, G/F, 22-24 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan Contact: 6274 3130 or info@craftissimo.hk
This article was written by Nancy Matos, The HK HUB.
Nancy writes for The HK HUB, the first place you go to find out what’s happening in Hong Kong.
*Feature image by Little Creatures
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You could easily spend a full day just wandering around Old Quebec City, but it’s definitely worth your while to head off the cobblestone sidewalks and explore the surrounding area. From visiting the city’s most well-known building, the Chateau Frontenac, to watching buskers perform a daring magic show or sing in the streets, there’s plenty to do just outside the old city walls. I would argue that two full days is all you need in Quebec City to see (almost) everything. Here’s my guide on things to do with 48 hours in Quebec City.
Day 1: Explore Old Quebec City
The old part of Quebec City is arguably the most beautiful. With cobblestone roads, quaint and unique buildings, and boutique shops and pubs, you could easily spend a day just wandering about. For more info on where to go, what to see, and things to do in Old Quebec, check out my last post.
Day 2: Wandering the streets
A walk down Rue Saint-JeanRue Saint-Jean
Although the streets of Old Quebec are much nicer, Quebec City does have some other beautiful streets worth exploring. Rue Saint-Jean is a main street that leads into Old Quebec. Along the street you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, bakeries, and shops. The streets that run off of and parallel to Rue Saint-Jean are also worth exploring if you have the time. On our way to the farmer’s market by the Old Port, we passed by a tour group that were on a horse-drawn carriage tour. If that’s a bit too pricey, Quebec City also has hop on/hop off bus tours (one day adult passes are around CAD$35).
Farmer’s Market & Old Port
Farmer’s Market
After you’ve finished walking around, head down to the Old Port and have a walk around the farmer’s market. Admittedly I didn’t find it particularly special, but it was worth a quick walk through. From there, head outside and walk east along the water. There’s a cute splash pad (with a weird rotating eye) to cool off on and a large grassy area with great views of Chateau Frontenac, perfect for a picnic on a nice day.
Chateau Frontenac & Maple Taffy
Chateau Frontenac is about a 15 minute walk from the Old Port and is Quebec City’s most well-known building. This hotel dates back to 1893 when its doors first opened and has been a landmark ever since. A night’s stay at the Chateau Frontenac will cost you a pretty penny, so I’d recommend just spend a few hours here wandering around the lobby, enjoying a drink at one of the hotel’s bars, and walking along the outdoor walkway that looks out onto the St Lawrence River. Just outside the Chateau Frontenac you’ll find an area where buskers usually perform and where you can grab a maple taffy stick for CAD$2.50.
Buskers & food
Quebec City is well known for its buskers; the city welcomes such performances. As you walk around, you’ll see larger areas that are dedicated for buskers as well as smaller acts who simply take up a corner in the streets. Either way, be sure to stop and enjoy at least one performance while you’re there – I absolutely loved this folk singing trio that I came across a few times during my stay in the city.
I found Quebec City to be quite pricey when it came to food and drink, especially if you’re looking to enjoy a meal on one of the main streets. Although you won’t be saving a tonne, I would recommend heading off the main streets for a meal – there’s still plenty of options, and it’s a lot less crowded and a little more wallet-friendly. If you’re in the mood to splurge, I would recommend Chez Muffy at the Auberge Saint Antoine hotel. We had brunch there on our last day in Quebec City and although not exactly cheap (around CAD$50 for the brunch buffet), the food was high quality and the atmosphere was beautiful.
Montmorency Falls
If you have access to a vehicle, I would definitely recommend making a stop at Montmorency Falls, only a 20 minute drive away. There is a bridge above the falls that you can walk over and stairs leading all the way down to the base of the falls that you can walk down. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even zipline across the falls.
If there’s anything else you would recommend seeing in 48 hours in Quebec City, let me know in the comments below!
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For me, it’s the quaint charm of a city’s historic area that always lures me in. Sure, I enjoy checking out modern buildings and big skyscrapers, but there’s something about the old part of a city that I prefer. The same held true when I spent a few days in Quebec City. While the outskirts were beautiful in their own right, it was Old Quebec City that I fell in love with. If you’ve never been before, I would say it’s like Montreal’s little sister: plenty to see, do, and eat, but on a much smaller scale.
Rue Saint-Jean: The start of Old Quebec City
Porte Saint-JeanRue Saint-JeanThere are many roads around Old Quebec City that have been sectioned off as pedestrian only. If you’re heading into Old Quebec City from the west end, then you’ll likely be passing through Porte Saint-Jean (the old city walls that you can actually walk on top of). Just beyond the city wall is where you’ll find one of the main walking streets on Rue Saint-Jean.
Rue Saint-Jean (FYI, that ice cream shop on the right is amazing!)Although this is technically Old Quebec City, you’ll find quite a few modern stores here, like Aldo, David’s Tea, and eventually a McDonald’s. You’re also likely to see buskers performing along this street and just outside of the city wall. Because this is a more popular area, prices at restaurants are also quite a bit higher. We had dinner on our first night at Pub St. Alexandre, and a burger and fries was around $25. I’d suggest to avoid eating a meal here and just opt for drinks with a side of people-watching.
Getting lost in Old Quebec City
My best advice for exploring Old Quebec City is to just spend the day wandering around and getting lost among the cobblestone streets.
Exploring the area close to Rue Dalhousie
Rue du Sault-au-MatelotRue Saint-PierreRoyal Battery/Batterie RoyalRue Sous le FortContinuing up Rue Sous le FortRue Dalhousie is a main street that runs along the water on the eastern part of Quebec City. A lot of the streets that come off Rue Dalhousie are pedestrian-only and are insanely cute. Although many are geared towards tourists, with various souvenir shops and the like, you’ll find many art galleries around Rue du Sault-au-Matelot if you’re interested in purchasing some local art.
The streets surrounding Chateau Frontenac
One of the most well-known landmarks of Quebec City is Chateau Frontenac. This historic hotel is a massive tourist attraction, so it’s no surprise that the streets surrounding Chateau Frontenac are filled with boutique shops, bistros with patio seating, and a whole lot of history.
Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Steps)These are the stairs you can take to get up to Chateau Frontenac. Or, just pop into one of the patios along the steps for a pint and some fantastic people-watching.
Place RoyaleThis picture was taken at Place Royal. There are shops surrounding the open area and at the far end you’ll see two busts: one of King Louis XIV and another of an Aboriginal individual. The two heads are staring directly at each other, making for an interesting and political interpretation.
Fresque des Québécois art muralThis mural depicts the story of Quebec City, with its important historical figures and how the city was built. There’s one more mural at the bottom of Breakneck Steps that shows the progression of the waterfront neighbourhood of Cap-Blanc. Both are beautiful paintings and you can read about what is happening in each of them on a descriptive plaque.
Artist Alley on Rue du TresorThe Artist Alley was a lot smaller than I had originally imagined, but the artwork is almost all original and the majority of it depicts different areas and important buildings in Quebec City. One thing I really liked was that, in most cases, the artist was selling his own work and was able to answer any questions you might have. Prices were around $10 for a small 4×7 original.
My favourite area in Old Quebec City: Lower Town
Rue du Petit ChamplainRue du Cul de SacI really loved the Lower Town of Old Quebec City. I found the narrow cobblestone streets and colourful buildings to be beautiful, and felt the area had a unique personality. Make sure you head down Rue du Cul de Sac to see the fun umbrellas hung up in the street. If you have time, pop into Q-de-Sac for a drink (they’re one of the few bars in the city I came across to offer happy hour) which overlooks the umbrellas.
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If you’re traveling to Quebec City and aren’t quite sure what to do besides wander around the city center (don’t worry, I wasn’t either), then you could head over to the Old Port Market Quebec City to check out the quaint farmer’s market. I’ll be totally honest, this isn’t your typical big city farmer’s market. You’ll find a small variety of stalls selling local produce, various food and drink, and a few souvenir shops in the Marché du Vieux-Port de Québec, as known by the locals.
What to expect at the Old Port Market Quebec City
Located next to the old port, the market is easy to get around with a fairly small selection of stalls. I saw a variety of local produce, cheese, a few baked goods, wine, maple syrup products, simple souvenirs, some desserts, and a marketplace restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the water. I was hoping that this market would have a bit more, but the selection wasn’t overly impressive to me. That being said, I ordered a poutine at the marketplace restaurant and it was delicious, so I won’t complain.
Is it worth a visit?
If you’re really pressed for time and only have a day in Quebec City, I probably wouldn’t bother with the Old Port Market Quebec. However, if you’re in the city for a couple days and are looking for something to do to kill a few hours, then it’s worth a quick trip. I think we spent maybe 45 minutes wandering around the market and I did see some of the biggest tomatoes ever, so if you’re into produce, this market will likely be interesting. Afterwards, you should walk along the water before heading into Old Quebec to walk around.
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If you’re visiting Quebec City and are looking for something to do outside the city centre, I would recommend checking out Montmorency Falls. Although not quite as impressive as Niagara Falls, Montmorency Falls were beautiful and unique in their own way. You’ll be surrounded by nature, have the chance to walk over the falls on a walking bridge, and take the stairs leading right down to the bottom.. all for free. Whether you’re traveling with your family or a friend, Montmorency Falls Quebec are definitely worth a visit.
What to see & do at Montmorency Falls Quebec
Views from the walking bridge above Montmorency FallsViews from the walking bridge above Montmorency Falls
Once you’ve parked (there is paid parking right beside the entrance, but you can also park for free along the road in one of the neighbourhoods if you don’t mind the walk over), head in and walk straight down the path. This will take you to the walking bridge over the falls. The bridge has a great vantage point – you can see all around the falls and watch as people zipline across. There’s a little viewing area just across the bridge where the people who zipline end up.
Then, head back to the entrance and take the other route. This will take you into a large grassy area with a food truck, the start of the zipline (if I remember correctly, it was between CAD$20 – $30), and the stairs that take you all the way to the bottom of the falls with a few viewing areas along the way.
Is it worth the drive?
I’m happy we stopped by the falls on our way from Quebec City to New Brunswick. Montmorency Falls may not be massive, but they really were beautiful and are worth a visit if you’re nearby.
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Aside from Dragon’s Back, heading up to The Peak is one of the most popular hikes (or walks) in Hong Kong. The route to the top has various starting points, but is relatively quick and offers fantastic views of the city below. If you’ve walked up The Peak many times and are looking for a change of scenery, I’d recommend trying The Peak to Aberdeen hike. This hike covers the Hong Kong Trail Stage 1 and 2, and Peel Rise. The hike is relatively easy and the stunning views over Aberdeen are well worth your time.
Starting point of The Peak to Aberdeen hike
Head down this street – Harlech RoadThis hike starts at The Peak – you can either walk up to The Peak yourself (we did this – it’s only a quick 20-30 minute walk) or catch a cab to the top. From The Peak Galleria, begin walking down Harlech Road.
Harlech Rd to Hong Kong Trail Section 1
The garden area on your leftGo straight – this takes you onto Hong Kong Trail Stage 1Continue walking down Harlech Road until you come across the garden on your left. Harlech Road will then become Hatton Road – instead of going down Hatton, go straight down the unmarked path. This is the start of the Hong Kong Trail Stage 1.
Views along the wayTurn left and go up the stairs. There is a few benches in this area with a lookout point and a set of stairs leading down – go down those stairs.Heading down towards Pok Fu Lam ReservoirFollow the path and at the point where you see the large circular pavement and benches (see photo above), there will be a sign pointing to the “Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road” – head down.
Hong Kong Trail Section 1 to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir
Almost at the reservoirFollow the paved path – the reservoir is just on your rightAs you continue to descend down the stairs, you’ll come across a few forks in the path – continue to follow the signs to the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir. Eventually you’ll come out to a very large paved road with the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir on the opposite side. Turn left where the large sign says ‘To Peel Rise via Chi Fu’ and continue walking along the reservoir.
Turn right to get to Peel RiseHead to the left up the stairs following the signs for “Peel Rise” and “Hong Kong Trail”Eventually you’ll come to a fork in the path. Turn right, following the signs that say, ‘Peel Rise’ and ‘Chi Fu’. Continue following the path until you see the stairs leading up to the left – go up these stairs, continuing to follow the signs for ‘Peel Rise’ and ‘Hong Kong Trail’.
Hong Kong Trail Section 2 to Peel Rise
Go straightFollow the pathContinue along the pathViews over AberdeenThe beginning of the descent down to AberdeenViews as you make your way downAt this point, just follow the path leading you down to Aberdeen. You’ll eventually come out into a clearing where you’ll be privy to some Instagram-worthy views of Aberdeen. Again, continue to follow the path down.
Ending point: Aberdeen
Turn right down these stairsThe end of the hike is in this estate building. From here, it’s a short walk into Aberdeen where you can catch a bus or taxi back to wherever you need to go.The final turn you need to make is in the photo above – if you stay on the path, you’ll continue along the Hong Kong Trail, so turn right and go down the stairs to get to Aberdeen. After you turn right, you’ll walk past a few benches and then come out to a large walkway going left and right – turn left and head down the road. In a few minutes you’ll end up at the bottom of an estate building. Aberdeen is only a short walk away (I’d suggest just following Google Maps at this point) where you can hop on a bus (I took one to Central) or grab a taxi back.
Journey Length: 11.5 km Total Time: about 2 – 3 hours
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My love for local food developed shortly after I moved to Hong Kong six years ago. From dim sum to noodles to dumplings, I’m always up for a visit to a local cha chaan teng or dai pai dong to satisfy my cravings. I’ve had a long list of local shops I’ve wanted to visit for ages now, but I just haven’t had the time to go, so when given an opportunity to join Hello Hong Kong’s local Hong Kong food tour, I jumped on it. Whether you’re living in HK but have felt a bit anxious about heading to a local restaurant, or if you’re visiting and want to have a local food experience, I would highly recommend going on a local Hong Kong food tour with Hello Hong Kong.
Dim Sum breakfast and Dried Food Shops
Our tour started at 9:30 am at a popular tea house in Sheung Wan called Lin Heung Kui Tea House for a dim sum breakfast. I’ve been to the branch in Central before and loved it, so I was excited to see they had a sister branch next door. I love love love dim sum, and our fantastic tour guide Mel chose a handful of classic dim sum dishes for us to try. I had tried almost everything before except for these pork buns with a sweet pineapple bun topping, which were absolutely delicious.
We then walked down the streets of Sheung Wan where many local dry food shops took over the ground floors of buildings. Along the way, we went into a ginseng shop and a Chinese medicinal shop where Mel talked about the health benefits of these products as well as the history of the shops. Despite having lived in this area for four years, I learned quite a few interesting facts about these shops and the history behind them.
Next, we went to a local candy and tea shop where we were able to try a variety of treats and dried fruits, and buy any that you fancied. After we were done browsing, we went to the back of the store where the tea selection was and sat down for a traditional tea pouring. We tried dragon pearl jasmine tea and it was honestly the best jasmine tea I have had. After we each had a small glass, we left and popped our heads into a local snake soup shop where live snakes are kept in wooden boxes at the back. We weren’t able to see any that day, but locals believe snake soup has many healing and health benefits.
Won Ton Soup and Milk Tea
For our next stop, we made our way to Central to Mak’s Chung Noodles for some wonton noodle soup. I had originally thought we were going to the ‘fancy’ new-ish Mak’s Noodles on Wellington Street, but I was surprised to find out that the shop we went to is actually owned by his son. The story goes, there was a family dispute between the two, which is why they now own two different Mak’s Noodle shops in Central, Hong Kong.
To quench our thirst we paid a visit to Lan Fong Yuen, a popular local cha chaan teng in Central (one of the places I had been wanting to visit for awhile). We tried the milk tea – I ordered the half coffee, half milk tea drink called yuanyang. The drink was good, but it seemed as though I should have opted for the traditional milk tea, so I’ll have to go back to try it.
Egg Tarts and Roast Meat
Our next stop was right around the corner at Tai Cheong Bakery to pick up some of their famous egg tarts. Every time I walk by this shop there’s always a queue, but we were able to grab these egg tarts fairly quickly since our tour was on a weekday. We then walked to an area where we could sit down and properly enjoy them before moving on to our final stop of the tour.
Finally, we hopped on a tram and made our way to Wan Chai for our last stop at Joy Hing to try char siu (bbq pork). The restaurant was absolutely packed, so we were all squished at a tiny table which wasn’t the most comfortable experience, although it was certainly an authentic one. We tried a heaping plate of char siu, and another plate with rice and char siu – both fatty and lean pieces. After we quickly finished up, we ended our tour just across the street and all parted ways.
About Hello Hong Kong Tours
Hello Hong Kong specializes in private and small group tours around Hong Kong. They offer a variety of tours based around the sightseeing, culture/history, and food of Hong Kong. Going on a tour with Hello Hong Kong is a great way to explore the city and learn a bit more about what makes Hong Kong so unique with their knowledgeable tour guides (my tour guide Mel was great!). As someone who has lived in Hong Kong for six years, I really did love their local food tour and would recommend it to anyone with an adventurous and/or curious palate. They have also recently launched in Singapore and I can’t wait to try their food tour on my next visit.
Visit Hello Hong Kong for more information about their tours and to book yours today!
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Whether you’re looking for a spot in Hong Kong for a weekend getaway or to stay during your work trip, Ovolo Southside hotel in Wong Chuk Hang is a great option. Once a warehouse, this boutique hotel exudes a fun, modern vibe and was the perfect spot for my mini staycation this summer. Plus, with plenty of freebies like breakfast, happy hour, self-laundry and much more when you book direct online, I really couldn’t go wrong!
First Impressions of Ovolo Southside Hong Kong
The Ovolo Hotel group prides themselves on creating fun, modern, intuitive hotels that put the focus on you, the guest. From the moment I walked inside Ovolo Southside Hong Kong, there was a distinct liveliness sensed throughout. The interior decor in the lobby is vibrant and inviting, with neon signs and funky art all around the hotel. Upon checking in, the hotel staff efficiently went through the details of my stay – free happy hour (including free-flow drinks and snacks), free mini bar, free breakfast, and much more. All these amazing freebies are only available when you book your stay through their website!
The Room
When I exited the elevator, the hallway was quite dark with bright purple artwork on the walls – clearly sticking to the ‘funky, hip’ theme as first seen in the lobby. The room was the perfect size (great for couples or if you’re enjoying a #treatyoself solo staycation), and had a great views of the surrounding area. The (free!) mini-bar was loaded with plenty of water, beer, pop, and juice, and there was also a free “loot bag” filled with various candies and chips. Personally, it’s these little added touches from a hotel that really make my stay – even though it wasn’t much to include in the room, the fact that the hotel provides these things left a good impression.
There were two TV’s in the room; one in the lounge area by the window and another in front of the bed. The bed was incredibly comfortable and upon opening a few more cupboards (what can I say, I’m nosey), there were some cute slippers and a funny tote bag/backpack with “I got 99 problems but a bed ain’t one” printed on it that you could take home if you wanted. The bathroom is quite small, but has everything you need – a range of complimentary quality toiletries (impressed that they had mouthwash as well) and a waterfall shower head.
Overall, I really loved the room. It wasn’t huge, but it didn’t need to be: it had everything I needed and more, and I loved that home-y vibe I felt every time I came back to the room.
Facilities
Ovolo Southside has a great range of facilities for a boutique hotel. For those that don’t want to miss out on a workout, they have a gym that’s opened 24/7 and they even provide yoga mats if you’re looking to get your ‘om’ on in your room. The lounge is also open 24/7 with free coffee and candies. This is also where you can enjoy free flow happy hour and canapés from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm everyday when you book directly through ovolohotels.com. I was also surprised that the hotel offers free self-laundry, perfect for those who are there for more than just a few days. Aside from Komune, the hotel’s main restaurant, Ovolo Southside is also home to ABOVE, a rooftop bar with great drinks, views, and snacks.
Dinner & Breakfast
Although there was initially a bit of a mix up with our reservation, we ended up enjoying a very filling meal at the hotel restaurant, Komune. The restaurant has both an indoor and outdoor space, but I particularly loved the spacious outdoor area. We ordered a tonne of food: from homemade guacamole with chips and pappardelle with garlic shrimps (my fav!), to clams, chorizo, and sake.. the food was well-priced and the portions were good.
If you book the hotel online through their website, a continental breakfast is also included in your stay. The breakfast ran from 6:30 am – 10:30 am (10:00 am on weekdays) and offered delicious coffee from their Nespresso machine, a variety of fruit and pastries, charcuterie, and some Asian breakfast staples like noodles and congee.
Overall Thoughts on Ovolo Southside
I thoroughly enjoyed my staycation at Ovolo Southside. It’s the perfect way to get out of the city centre and enjoy some R&R in a fun, fuss-free environment. One of my favourite things about this hotel was their “we love the F word” motto – basically, as a guest you get a tonne of freebies here when you book direct. The only thing I wish the hotel had that would be perfect during the summer months is an outdoor pool. Aside from that, Ovolo Southside is a fantastic hotel for a cheeky staycation or a great place to stay if you’re in the city on a work trip.
Ovolo Southside 18 Ocean Park Road Wong Chuk Hang Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3460 8100
I partnered with Ovolo Southside for this post. As always, all views and opinions are sincerely my own.
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In my last post, I focused on all of the street art in George Town that was completed by Ernest Zacharevic in 2012. Since then, many artists have added their own work to the streets of George Town. While I don’t know the artists names or when they were painted, I enjoyed stumbling upon all of this impressive artwork. This post is basically to serve as a memory for me: an image dump of some of the more interesting Penang street art I found, most of which was discovered by complete accident.
George Town Penang Street Art: Where to find the artwork
My best advice for how to go about discovering the various pieces of art in George Town is to first plot out a map of the things you really want to see. For me, that was Ernest’s murals for the ‘Mirrors George Town’ project and a selection of local restaurants (you have to try Line Clear, Moh Teng Pheow, and basically all the other delicious Malaysian dishes you come across) I had read about. While I was out wandering around the city, I stumbled upon a tonne of fascinating street art. You’ll pretty much find some form of art on every single street you walk down. Below is a collection of street art that I found the most compelling. If I were to include all the photos I took, there would be well over 50.
A selection of the street art I found in George Town
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At this point, it’s not a surprise to many that George Town, Penang is home to a variety of street art. In fact, a lot of people specifically plan to visit for exactly that reason: to discover the hidden streets and alleyways that this artwork is found on. The street art in George Town comes in many varieties and has been completed by multiple artists, however the original project came to life in 2012 when the municipal council hired Ernest Zacharevic to brighten up the town. He was commissioned to create a handful of murals to showcase everyday life in Penang. The unique, sometimes larger-than-life artwork found throughout the city has put Penang in the global spotlight: George Town street art is a must-see for all visitors.
George Town Street Art: Mirrors George Town
Ernest Zacharevic is a Lithuanian artist who lives in George Town. He was asked by the city council to create a handful of murals throughout George Town for a project called Mirrors George Town for the upcoming Penang George Town Festival. This project’s aim was to attract more tourists to the area, but also to shine light on the city’s unique heritage (it is a UNESCO heritage sight, after all). Although this was the first stage of street art, many other artists followed after and you’ll now see plenty of different forms of street art throughout the city.
Where to find the street art
When I was in George Town many years ago, I aimlessly wandered around and saw whatever street art I happened to stumble upon – such a shame considering he had just completed the project when I went. This time around, I did some research ahead of time and found this blog that put together a map of where to find Ernest Zacharevic’s murals (though I did end up missing two and one has since been removed).
Make your way around George Town by foot – it will likely take at least half a day, if not more, to visit all of the street art if you’re going at a leisurely pace. I was there in April and it was incredibly hot, but we did manage by foot (and by random stops inside 7-11 to cool down!). An alternative method is to rent bicycles for the day and go around if you’re pressed for time and are interested in exploring other parts of the city in the same day.
“The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler”
“Little Girl in Blue”
“Reaching Up”
“Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur”
“Boy on a Bike”
“Little Children on a Bicycle”
Stay tuned for my next piece on all of the other artwork we stumbled upon while exploring George Town!
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